via BBC News – South Africa’s Nelson Mandela dies 5 December 2013
South Africa’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died, South Africa’s president says.
Mr Mandela, 95, led South Africa’s transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison.
He had been receiving intense home-based medical care for a lung infection after three months in hospital.
In a statement on South African national TV, Mr Zuma said Mr Mandela had “departed” and was at peace.
COMMENTS
RIP, Madiba.
Rest in peace Madiba. The world has become a much poorer place with his passing.
One of the greatest statesmen ever has gone. If we could have more of his calibre, our world would be much fairer and much more peaceful
R.I.P Papa Nelson Mandela,you have done your duty, not only for South Africa but for the entire Universe.May the Almight God forgive you in what ever you may have wronged him.
R.I.P Madiba, the only regret must be seeing these recalcitrant despots destroy S.A., Zim, Mozambique ,Angola,CAR, what a pity mugarbage and his fellow murderers think they are superior to you just because Zim was independant first, I think you will be lonely in heaven , cos the others are going to hell!-Amandhla Ngawethu
The day you were released from prison in 1990 we were granted a bank holiday in ZIMBABWE as a sign of gratitude,but what followed in the years to come no man can explain .You stood up for your people until the last hour,you saw everybody in the eyes of JESUS. Today we join with so man others who knew you in offering our deepest sympathy.REMEMBER US THE CHILDREN OF ZIMBABWE WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH AND MAY THOSE IN AUTHORITY LEARN FROM YOU THAT LIFE WELL LIVED IS NOT ABOUT MONEY OR POSSESSION BUT THE POSITIVE DIFFERENCE THEY MAKE INTO THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE,
REST IN PEACE
Rest in peace papa, but you sold your own people, every1 knows SA is not independent, millions live in shacks, in such a rich country, shame,shame,shame
Mally, if the fact that many South Africans live in shacks is a sign that SA is not independent, what then of Zimbabweans who don’t even have running water in their cities and whose kids are now growing up playing in sewage? You need to grow up.
R.I.P father Africa works still bears fruits on us God be with you
R.i.p.Madiba
Lala ngokuthUla. Ubulise u Lookout.
R.I.P. The great son of Africa,the great leader of the world.
R.I.P Madiba this is a great loss nt to South Africa only but to the whole world.You were a true icon of peace in Africa we won’t have pple of your calibre as all have proved to be dictators.
One of the greatest persons that has ever lived.
True hero,who was loved by everybody regardless of which country one is from,not by force but by your works. S/Africa and the world at large has lost a true hero. RIP.
You are taking too far and personal what has his passing got to do with Lookout ? Thus too partisan for nothing ,political ideology doesnt have to be too polarised like the way you want to take it
Great statesman, my heroe, RIP tata Madiba
All good things come to an end.The world gained an asset during your lifetime.You ignited humanity in a lot.May the fire of kindness keep on burning.
RIP MADIBA A father of unverse what a dedicated leader wth heart
I’m yet to hear what mugabe wil say.rest in peace tata
lala ngoxobo baba Madiba . UYISEBENZELE ININGIZIMU AFRICA,SIKHULULEKILE LAMHLA INXA YAKHO.UBULISE U NYONGOLO,U MASUKU,HANI ,U GENERAL TONGO,U MSIKAVAVNHU,U JZ LAMANYE AMAQHAWE OQOBO.
THE ONLY CIVILISED AFRICAN PRESIDENT EVER TO EMERGE IN AFRICA!! YOU DID YOUR PART, MADIBA! RIP!!
Sir Seretse Khama, Sir Keitumile Masire, Festus Mogae, Ian Khama……
Uyidlalile eyakho indima baba , inkosi ibe nawe ikubusise ulale ngoxoxo , God bless you , the world is already missing you .
ITS FITTING THAT TODAYS NEWS HAS ONLY ONE IMPORTANT ITEM!!!
RIP Thatha Mandela, your played your part in this world and you were loved by the whole world.
may his soul rest in eternal peace.
RIP.For u I feel the pain and loss but for Mugabe may God forgive me because on his death I shall have a mother of a party
True hero of the whole world, people should celebrate his life and our current presidents should just try to at least get 1% of wisdom and we will be in a better world.RIP Khosi lama khosi!
Rest in peace God bless you for what you have done for south African and the whole world,we meet again
RIP Madiba. We will miss you.
4 out of 5 of the greatest States-persons, Humanitarians have left the world, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Gandi and Madiba, we are left with Queen Elizabeth, Queen of England. Who will replace the them. there honesty, kindness and insight into human nature and life, their compassion for the people of the world will never be duplicated.
R.I.P Nelson Mandela, a true leader, you nolonger belong to us but to the ages.the world has lost an icon who inspired millions
RIP THE GREAT!
Condolences to our neighbours across the Limpopo. Our thanks to them for giving the world an African son and human being to be proud of. Principled, humble, regal of birth yet down to earth. RIP Madiba, your rest is well earned. A democracy could not wish for a wiser, examplary founding father.
Rip madiba. The world will miss you. Africa has lost its only true statesman.
Its not the power of the gun which makes one great BUT the power of forgiveness.R.I.P and GOD bless your soul.
RIP Pres Mandela. As for Gideon and Mark I must remind you my buddies that this is a time to moourn. Its not a time to think bad about sitting leaders. We can alwayz to that another time.
Sleep in peace BaMandela
rip papa.you did your great work and we appreciated that and we wish a very very good rest.we will miss you much. if only we had many of your class the world would be at peace. till we meet again when our time comes too. go well.
True Hero Son of the soil, go well.GOD BLESS YOU MADIBA
RIP TATA Mandela. We are with you the Mandela Family during this time of bereavement.
Mandela the guru of humility. What a great man. You have performed your earthly duties with so much dignity and humility. Greatest leader of modern history by far.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. You done Africa great. “The world is like a stage” and you played your part, and played well.
Papa Mandela you were the greatest african leader who ever walked this planet with rare qualities that even your enemies emulated. The Lord has shown us through you that humbleness brings lasting peace and above all we are comforted in our hearts to know that you left an indelible mark in the whole world. Today the Lord has called you home. We shall forever remember you Papa. South Africa is now free because of you and other gallant sons of Africa who departed before you. Rest in peace Madiba the great one.
Wafawanaka – the dead are good, no matter how they lived. This man did nothing, nothing at all for the common man in South Africa. The Boers like him because he did not disturb them in their pilliage of South Africa’s wealth. The west love him because they thought he could be used as a model for all African leaders to coppy – leaders with political clout and not power or the economy. The west want African leaders who masquerade as leaders whilst they steal and plunder the resources of the continent. Mandela was a whitmen’s poodle, nothing more.
Naison Nyereyegona, black South Africans are mourning his passing in their millions! You for some reason have decided that you know, more than they, that he did nothing for them.
You cant say “wafawanaka” because the term is relevant when people say nice things about an individual they denigrated while he was alive. The Tributes pouring in from within and outside SA are similar to the praises that were sung before he died.
Why did so many millions of Zimbabweans flock to SA and why do they continue to do so living a beloved president who has done so much for them in their homeland? Actually, Mugabe is a poodle of the Chinese. Look around you and you will see that.
Shame, another sick sick man, you need help boy.
May his dear soul rest in eternal peace.
lots of love Holihlahla……..r.i.p
May i apologise the public for Mark and Gideon , hopefully next time they will be carefuland and see the difference , we need to bow our heads down on this site today and show hunanity .Thank you .
Rest in peace Nelson Mandela. Although you are gone you will remain in our minds. Although the world has lost a great man we gain the example of this great man. It has been a long road to Freedom.
Careful and show humanity
Lala ngokuthula Rolihlahla, Dalibhunga, lomhlaba awusoze usafana. Uyiqedile eyakho indima. Usikhonzele phambili qhawe lamaqhawe.
My deepest condolences to the Mandela family. Your are an inspiration to the world and a global icon of liberty and goodwill.
Your departure from this world will be greatly missed, it is a shame Africa cannot produce more inspired leaders like yourself, just a handful of great men/women like Nelson Mandela would change the face of Africa forever .
Nelson Mandela Lala Salama and may your God be with you.
Rest in peace son of soil and African son, your history will remain forever and ever. To the above people its time to mourn the loss of the states man rather than expressing about people you hate. Lets please refrain from political minds.
R.I.P Tata Madiba
As we mourn tata Madiba we must not forget what he stood for that is freedom. Even president Zuma last night asked us never to forget that.His life must be emulated. Thats why I remind the dictator across Limpopo to take this day to sit down and be a leader like tata. No one needs to appologise for me. I am a very cultured African. Viva Mandela. Viva democracy. Aluta continua
The departure of this great global hero , a man whose statesmanship has no comparison, a man who,have his life up for the world to be a better place is a sad chapter in the history of the world. Papa Mandela you are an inspiration to the world even as you rest. You will be greatly missed and cherished forever. May your dear soul rest in eternal peace for you fought for peace to the very end .
The greatest leader out of Africa, a remarkable man in all respects. If you dont go to heaven Madhiba who will. How i wish the Mugabes of this world could learn from him. Rest in peace our true father…you will always be remembered.
LALA NGOKUTHULALA NELSON MANDELA QHAWE LAKWETHU.UYYBEKILE INDUKU EBANDLA.KUNINGI ESIKUFUNDE KUWE MADIBA.BAYETHE.BAYETHE.
A man to admire, may his dear soul rest in peace. A great loss.Southern Africa will be hard pressed to find another leader like him.
In Mandela’s own words before being sent to prison;
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
RIP Baba.
Madiba today the world will show their respects to your inspired wisdom and goodwill. Your passing will be marked by the outpouring of condolences trending on Twitter that will break all records. We the people who have been left behind mourn your passing and can only hope to grasp a fraction of your humility and greatness.
We are celebrating the life you shared with us Nelson. You showed leadership to all of us. You led us to know and understand what is forgiveness and today we will miss your presence but your shadow remains to lean on. We will always look at the work you’ve done for us. We give God almighty all the glory and honour for your life for what you went through for us. So I say on behalf of my family myself rest in peace Baba Mandela.
We knew the day shall come but not too soon, we celebrate a life well spent, we mourn because we are ignorant of the Almighty’s choices. We grieve because Tata has departed from us when the oppressive system he so much fought against still persist in some parts of Africa. It is time we celebrate as Tata embarks on his journey to the peaceful world he deserves. Farewell Tata. Thank you for showing us that the tribulations of this world can be conquered through forgiveness. Remember your children who embraced your call that South Africa belongs to all who live in it.
To the Madiba clan we are together in this darkest moment. “Sengathi uThixo angabopha amanxeba enu kuthi ngokuya kwesikhathi aphole.” Farewell Madiba.
May his dear soul rest in perfect peace. Thank you Lord Jesus for selfless leaders like him.He was indeed one of a kind and Africa was priviledged to have him.
A great states man.humble. principled and democratic. A true African cadre who lead by example. Rest in peace old man. U have done your party.
GOD I KNOW YOU WILL RECEIVE OUR OLD MAN WITH OPEN ARMS MOST LIKELY FIRST POLITICIAN TO GO TO HEAVEN BUT GOD CAN I ALSO ADVISE YOU THAT THE BAD ONES YOU ARE KEEPING ON EARTH HOPING THEY WILL REPENT WILL ONLY DASAPPOINT YOU MY LORD PLEASE TAKE THEM UP TO HELL NOW SO THAT US YOUR CHILDREN CAN REMAIN IN PEACE. ZIMBABWE IS GOING THROUGH HELL RIGHT NOW JUST BECAUSE OF ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO YOU HOPE TO REPENT BUT FROM HIS RECENT COMMENT LORD HE IS FAR FROM REPENTING PLEASE HELP US.REST IN PEACE TATA MANDELA YOU ARE AN EXEMPLARY LEADER DIFFICULT TO REPLACE.
The end of an era and the beginning of a new one. What a GIANT and GIFT to the world! The embodiment of courage, love, vision and humility. Am very proud that a son of Africa did set such a high standard of leadership for the world. I hope some among the young will rise to this standard set by Mandela. Shame, shame,shame on those current leaders who have failed dismally to emulate such a great man. Mandela’s spirit will endure for ever.
Nelson Mandela was a great man! We bow before his merits! Rest in peace Nelson.
A true heroes of all time has departed, I am sorry, but iam celebrating his life. A true leader par excellence.
other LEADERS WHO HANG ON POWER should take time to reflect and draw lessons from this great departed hero.
Lord have mercy there goes our Hero of African Heroes. The world’s most popular stateman. I am proud of Mandela. His greatness is shown by the pain his departure causes the whole world. A good man’s career ends with such praise and honour but a bad man’s career ends with a failed ZIM-ARSE HOLE
african leader who led from the front. fairest leader who put his life on the line for the true benefit of his nation and not for personal glory.we salute you your life as Zimbabweans and the whole world. we are scattered all over the world like made people and we always look back and say “if only we had a leader like you” May your soul rest in peace GAMBA redu tese.
Mugabe is the Devil himself. He will burn in Hell!!
He was great man of Africa may his soul rest in peace.I hope and wish if all African leaders would follow in Mr Mandela’s foot steps of tolerance peace and good governance
What can I say? Madiba’s grace and forgiveness brought so much to a hurting and bitter world. He was head and shoulders above most in so much. He rose above his own suffering and gave unconditionally. Oh that many more leaders would learn from his character. I do not feel South Africa has lost Madiba but only stands to gain much from this special man if they will learn from his example. May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with the Mandela family at this time.
Nelson Mandela will undoubtedly be remembered for all the right reasons and not just in South Africa. He has set a global standard of leadership, which unfortunately may never be matched let alone exceeded. What a legacy !!!
the whole world mourned for Mandela last night, I live in the states and the world could only talk about Mandella Rip,
that is more I can say for Mugabe who Does not have a legacy, in fact when Mugabe dies, he probley wont even be mentioned..Mandela loved all people no mater what colour..
Mugabe is a murdering terrorist who only steals from him people….he will never ever come from the same cloth as the most adoured man in the world..i was born in SA,
Well said sir.
Mugabe does not even come near Mandela’s toes!!
Mugabe is a devil
May his soul rest in everlasting peace. Mandela will be in our lives forever heleft a very good history. Unlike this monster Mugaveee. When he dies his history will go to the dust bin.
RIP nelson,u will forever be remembered for having lit the path to a revolution that marked the end of apartheid in Africa!
lala ngokuthula Holihlahla. You are the greatest hero of africa
Thank you those who are calling on Mugabe so that when he dies we mourn him like wat we are doing to Tata. Otherwise if he does tomorrow the world will celebrate
African leaders, Mugabe included, should take a leaf from Nelson Mandela’s legacy. You hand over the button when you complete your leg of the political relay, don’t run away with it like what our own president Robert Mugabe has done. There is always someone to keep flame burning
RIP tata, you are our heroe. A true African icon.
Father of peace Nelson Mandela the world icon, through you reconciliation was made, none racializim and no divisions. So we are very proud of you even if you are no longer with us. Rest in peace Tata Madiba you are stil rememberd.
I suppose Mugabe is sneering at all these outpourings of condolences on the passing away of one whom he can never in a thousand life times ever equal.Remember his snide comments about Mandela being too good to whites or something to that effect?
My condolences to all those who mourn Nelson Mandela’s death. May his soul rest in peace.
In public relations terms Mandela’s euology may better that of Robert Mugabe’s, when his is produced. It is conceivable, however, in the long term Robert Mugabe may have done a better job of laying a foundation, painful as the process may have and still may be, for Zimbabweans, for their future development, than did Nelson Mandela for South Africa. Zimbabwe has passed through the destructive phase of it’s post colonial revolution and South Africa has yet to do so. I fear the beloved country still has a great deal of crying ahead of it.
You are a sick sick man sir! Mugabe is a demon of ruination, division and corruption and has destroyed Zimbabwe, the Gem of Arica, and will never hold a candle to Madiba, so dont mention him in the same breath as Nelson Madiba Mandela.
A true gentleman gone to rest If only some people would take a leaf out of his book what a better world this would be
Look,why do you Zanu propagandists and Mugabe lovers want to make the world believe something good was done in Zimbabwe? Good is in South Africa where almost 2 million zimbabweans have run to. No empowerment programme needs to be as destructive a ,racist and corrupt as that of Mugabe. Mandela made it possible for Zimbabweans to be in S.A now. Mugabe is a dictator whose policies are only ment to protect his position. Dont even attempt to compare Mugabe with Mandela. Who is Mugabe? A degreed murderer and dictator. Viva Mandela. Viva democracy
A great man of all times. An inspiration for all generations. A grandfather, father and brother to all of us. The world will miss him.
A man who accomplished what was then seen as impossible feat that had all the support either directly or otherwise from the Apartheid sympathizers.
Against all odds, we are today celebrating an exemplary life, a life that has been lived by very few in history.
R I P.
My wish is to see such comments on this page, where all people seem to be talking the same language. INDEED NELSON WAS A GREAT MAN, A GREAT LEADER AND A TRUE SON OF AFRICA. May his soul Rest In Peace.
A true hero and man of the people. Vakarwisa ukakunda Rorihlahla. May South Africa and the whole wide world instead celebrate the life of Mandela.
A truly great man who made it possible for South Africa to start the journey towards reconciliation and inter-racial harmony.May his soul rest in peace.
Lets forget abt Mugabe,lets mourn the great icon and give respect for what he has done to Africa as a whole
RIP tata i wish i was born in the same soil with u
The great man to all the world r.i.p grand papa madiba we will always remember you